Annapurna Circuit Trekking

Annapurna circuit trekking is considered to be the classic trekking trail in the Annapurna region. This trekking is popularly known as Annapurna round trekking.

Trip Fact - 18 days

Trip Code: HST-AT-16

Trek Start from: Beshisahar

Trek End at: Nayapul

Grade: Moderate/Difficult

Trek start Elevation: 1050 m.

Highest Elevation: 5416 m.

Group Size: Minimum 2 person

Best time: October, November, December, February, March, April

Mode of Trek: Teahouse / Tent

Trek Duration: 18 days

Jomsom Airport (2700m) with Nirgiri (7041m) - Taken from Jomsom

Manag village (3400m) with Annapurna III (7555m) and other mountains - Taken from manag.

The part of lower Mustang near Muktinath - Taken from Muktinath

Thronga-La pass people are pleasure with snow.

Throng-La pass (5416m)-Taken from Throng pass.

Annapurna circuit trekking is considered to be the classic trekking trail in the Annapurna region. This trekking is popularly known as Annapurna round trekking. This route only been possible since 1980 when Manang area which one of the major part of this trekking was authoritatively opened for foreigners.

Himalayan Smiles fabulous Annapurna Circuit trekking starts with a moderate to adventurous walks, where all types of travelers can join in this wonderful journey and the time duration taking just a little more 2 weeks in the comfort of warm cozy lodge known as tea houses along the route. Annapurna circuit trekking rated as world’s 10th best destination, one of the most unique journeys leading from warm subtropical; mediterranean of mid hills to arctic landscapes and climate zone, all these drastic change in temperature found only in Around Annapurna and the circuit route, this makes a drastic change in vegetation and its awesome scenery.

Annapurna Circuit trekking follows the river Marsyangdi River upstream all the way to its source at the glacial lake in Manang and beyond, a scenic ride with daily views of snow capped peaks biking through traditional rural farm villages and terraced fields starting from the sub-tropic, climate to the arctic temperature with dramatic contrast in landscape and into rain forest to the alpine woodlands of rhododendron, pines birch, spruce and fir trees.

Trek heads higher lands with a climb on stone paved steep steps sometimes on leaving the village area walking into alpine woodland of wonderful rhododendron, pines, oaks and bamboo trees, walk leads to a large Chame town the headquarter of Manang district from the air gets cooler as the elevation increases above 2,700 meters and on leaving the alpine woodlands and apple country of Bratang and Danaque, heading higher to dry scenic valley of Manang where the tree lines and vegetation disappears for smaller alpine shrubs and juniper bushes which is used as incense burning in monasteries and shrines.

From here into rich Tibetan Buddhist culture country where the Manang people daily life interwoven with religious prayer and breeding livestock of Yaks and other cattle’s.

Himalayan Smiles Annapurna Circuit Trekking on reaching Manang at the height of above 3,500 meters with acclimatization days and ample time to explore its unique traditional villages of strong Tibetan culture, the valley surrounded with high snow capped mountains of northern Annapurna Himalaya with Damodar range of peaks which includes the Chulus and Pisang peaks.

From here trek leads to the top of Thorungla reaching the highest point of this trek at 5,416 m/ 17,700 ft with stunning views of landscapes and mountains. From here the trail descends most of the way to Pokhara passing through the holy site of Muktinath. Muktinath holy water spouts is one of the sources of the Kali Gandaki River as well. This grand trek follows the world’s deepest gorge of Kali Gandaki River valley and passing the charming villages of Jomsom, Marpha-Tukuche and Tatopani (hot spring) ending at Pokhara one of the most scenic places on this planet.

The dramatic deep valleys, Buddhist Culture and mountain scenery is the reason for this wonderful biking journey, and the experience is truly mind blowing in Annapurna circuit trekking route.

Annapurna Circuit Trekking Route Map

Annapurna Circuit Trekking Highlight

Seven hour scenic drive to Beshishahar through mountain terrain

Marshyndi river valley and its natural wonders

Visit the oldest monastery in Braga village

Enjoy mix culture of Tibetan Buddhist and Bon culture

Crossing Throng La Pass (5416m)

Visit Muktinath the sacred temple of Hindus and Buddhists

Walking through the Kaligandaki valley

Warm hospitality of Thakali people and their culture.

Natural hot springs in Tatopani

Enchanting Sunrise from Poon hill

Walking through the rhododendron fores.

Annapurna Circuit Trekking Itinerary

After arrival in Kathmandu International airport, you will be welcomed by our officer. He will assist you to transfer the hotel. At hotel he gives you orientation of the overall trip. Meet your trekking guide. O/n at hotel in Kathmandu

Wake up early in the morning. Start your journey around at 6.30. Drive 15 minutes to Gongabu, the central bus station of Kathmandu to catch up bus for Beshisahar. Enjoy seven our scenic drive. The bus stops half an hour nearby highway restaurants on the way for lunch. You will be reached at Beshisahar around 2 o’clock. The rest of the day is free. O/n at mountain lodge in Beshisahar

Morning take a two hour drive by local bus on the dirt road to Syange. It is a beautiful small village surrounding by river and beautiful waterfalls. From Syange your trekking starts. You ascend one hour and reach Jagat(1330m). Here you may have lunch. Form Jagat you walk uphill to Chemje (1410m). Then you cross the suspension bridge over the Marshangdi River. Now the trail will be narrow and steep hanging the rocky nearby small tea house. Later the trail will be little bit down and reach Tal. Tal is entry point of Manang. Overnight at mountain lodge in Tal

This morning you will cross the little wooden suspension bridge and walk through Marsyangdi River bank. The trail climbs up to suspension bridge across the Marsyangdi River at 1850m and pass by stone cliff nearby two waterfalls at Khorte. From Khorte you ascend stone staircase to the long suspension bridge that goes west side of the Marshangdi River. After a while you enter to Dharapani, beautiful village influenced by Tibetan culture. Then you lead to another village Bagarchhap(2160m). After this village you walk through pine, maple and ok trees and arrive to Danaque. From this place you can enjoy view of Lamjung himal(6986m) and Annapurna II (7937m). Over night at mountain lodge in Danaque

After the crossing the small wooden bridge you will see junction of two trails. The guide decides on the spot which trail is better. The tails lead with a view of spectacular water fall through beautiful forest to the lower Tamang village (2440m). The trail passes small landslide and walnut trees to the Lattemarang. After the Lattemarnag the trail continuous ups and down over the forest climbing nearby tea house and apple garden in Thanchok Besi. Another ridge appear the entrance chorten of Kotho(2640m).After the half an hour easy walk you will be in Chame(2713m). Chame is the administrative headquarters of Manang district. Here you can get service of telephone, post office, and bank. Also here is better hotel you will get. You may like to visit hot spring bank of the Marshandi River. Overnight at mountain lodge in Chame

Today the trail passes through the Mani wall (Kani) and Stupa nearby tea house and buckwheat that marks entrance of the village and end of the village. This village called Telukhu(2840m). Form here quite easy walk to the Bhratang at 2950m.The Bhartang village has two village one is old and another is new. The old village used by Khampa settlement now is largely abandoned. The trail is round bend and became a very rocky and dramatic view of Annapurna II and Pisang peak and back down the valley of Himalchuli and Ngadi chuli. The trail gentle climb over the ridge through the blue pine forest and little down to the Dhukure Pokhari(3200m).From here your walk on flat trail the upper part of the Manang. In Pisang(3294m) you get several good tea houses and facilities. Overnight at mountain lodge in Pisang

From Pisang village start upper part of the Manag. Here people harvest crop in their field once in a year. Their main food is barley, buckwheat, potatoes and beans. From here the climate becomes cold and almost arid. This village people’s main transportation is horse. The trail cross the stream and climb through the mani wall and memorial of German people who is dead in Pisang peak. The trail continues the gradual up to the ridge at 3440m. From here you see spectacular view of Pisang peak, Manang Valley and Tilicho Peak. Then the trail slightly down through the grazing pasture to the Manang airport at Hongde(3420m). The trail is passing the long Mani walls with huge prayer wheels. Then it climbs through the field of barley and buckwheat. The village is largest part of the Tibetan – style village about 200 houses built by crop the rock. It is worth to visit the Monastery here. The path crosses rocky and wide crossing the old chortens and Mani walls. The trail continues half an hour to the magic land of Manang at 3540m. In Manag village you will find several tea houses with good facilities. Overnight at village in Manang

Manang village is the special trading village given to them in 1784 and Manang village engage in trade throughout Asia especially Bangkok Singapore and Honking. The villager’s main income source is tourist. The old part of Manang compact and collected 500 flat- roof houses separated by narrow alleyways one the way to Late Manang. For day hiking you can go to view Gangapurna Glacier Lake. Also you can climb to the edge until 4695 m. Here you can enjoy view of Manag village and more. Another option is to Visit the Bhojo Gompa. From Manang thirty minute climb. From here good view of Tilicho , Annapurna 4 and Annapurna II. Overnight at mountain lodge in Manang

The trails cross the Mani(Kani), chortens and prayer wheel through the cluster old village of Manang. You will pass small stream and field of potatoes, barley and buckwheat. The trail climb half an hour to the Tengi at 3650m. The trail continues climb out of the Marshandi valley north and passing the small stream near to the small village Gunsang at 3969m. The trail continues pass the small juniper tree, barberry and meadows and reach to Yak Kharka. Overnight at mountain lodge inYak Kharka

From Yak Kharka the trail continues climb east bank of to the Jorsang Khola and descend to the small wooden bridge then cross the Khola. You may fill little bit tough this climb because you’re walking in dry and arid high Himalaya but no need to worry you can take your time. The trail follow narrow and unstable screed slops with rocky-strewn to the Throng Phedi at 4420m. You may settle early dinner to prepare to long way climb to Thorung-La (5416m). Overnight at mountain lodge in Thorang Phedi

Trek start early in morning around 4 o’clock in dark. The trail from Phedi starts steep up through the rocky ridge. The tail uses hundreds years ago to bring yak and sheep herds. After one hour climb you may have tea break in High camp at 4830m. After the high camp the trail becomes ice and slippery. You may follow the guide and porter. The trail continues climb traversing in and out of many canyons to next tea house at 5030m. Here you will feel little bit headache and cold because the wind is very strong in the clear day. The tail climbs up and up to the top Thorung -La (5416m). The Thorung top you can imaging easily because in top you can see traditional chorten, prayer flags and stone Cairn from faraway. The tail down with white snow soon you will find another Kaligandaki valley. You may feel relief to have hot cup of tea in small tea house. The trail continues down through the yak pasture land to the Muktinath at 3805m. Overnight at mountain lodge in Muktinath

Morning you are recommended to visit Muktinath temple. The is holy temple for Hindus and Buddhist. You may see many Indian and Nepali pilgrims are taking cold shower around the temple. The Next place you visit is Jharkot impressive old ruined village. You see the massive Mount Dhaulagiri dominate to the Kaligadaki Valley. It is worth to visit nearly five hundred years old Gompa. The tail continues down to the another beautiful village Kagbeni(2840m). Here you will find Tibetan style houses and many Kani and prayers wheels and red color Gompa. The trail pass bank of the Kaligandaki Rever all the way to Jomsom (2760m).Overnight at mountain lodge in Jomsom

Today morning you will take three hours drive to Tatopani by local bus. The road is narrow on the mountain terrain. Have a lunch at Tatopani. You walk around Tatopani village. Here you also get bath in the natural hot springs. Overnight at mountain lodge in Tatopani

The trail continuous following the Kaligandaki River then cross the long suspension bridge over the Kaligandaki. You will be in the junction of the trail. The down trail goes to Beni and upper trail lead to Ghorepani. You move to Ghorepani climbing the hill called Durbin Danda at 1580m. The trail passes through the nice field and beautiful village of Ghara at 1780m. The trail continuous climb up hill and reach Sikha Village (1950m). This village is inhabitants of Magar ethnic groups. Here you will have lunch. The trail climb up and up through the two small village Phalate(2390m) and Chitre(2420m). Form here the trail become much steep climb muddy and slippery through the rhododendron forest to the Ghorepani (2810m). From Ghorepani you enjoy the great panorama view of Annapurna range and Dhulagiri range. Overnight at mountain lodge in Ghorepani

Early in the morning one hour climb to the Poon Hill (3210m) for sunrise view. From Poon hill you can see panoramic view of the mountains as well. You can see Mt Dhulagiri(8167m), Nilgiri range(6940m), Himachuli(6441m) Annapurna I(8091m), Machpurchhre himal(6696m) and Lamjung Himal. After the spectacular mountain view down to the Ghorepani and have breakfast. The trail decend to small Magar inhabitant and magnificent rhododendron forest. The trail continues down through the sparkling clear streams and lush muddy trail. From Ulleri(2080m) the trail became a steep decent through the stone staircase to the Bhurundi Khola. From here several time up and down to the Hille(1510m). Overnight at mountain lodge in Hille

Hille is a beautiful small Magar village surrounding by the cultivated field. The trail follows the bank of the Bhurundi Khola. The trail all the way down to the Birethanti(1000m). Here the trail junctions the left trail follow the Modhi khoala it leads to Ghandrung village. After half an hour walk from Birethanti you arrive to Nayapul. Here your trekking ends. From Nayapul you take a drive to Pokhara. Overnight at in hotel Pokhara

After breakfast walk to tourist bus station with trekking guide. Then set for Kathmandu. After reach in Kathmandu, you will be taken to your hotel at Kathmandu. Have a rest. In evening you can stroll around Thamel, the major tourist destination of Kathmandu. You can do some last minute shopping of souvenirs for your family and relatives. O/n at hotel in Kathmandu